Undetectable caeruloplasmin values in a patient with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis

Abstract

Caeruloplasmin is an alpha 2 protein produced in the liver that is responsible for transporting copper in the blood. Caeruloplasmin values are usually high in patients with chronic liver diseases, including chronic active hepatitis: low values, however, are characteristic of Wilson's disease. The case of a 17 year old woman with very low Caeruloplasmin values and chronic active hepatitis of the lupoid type is described. Steroid treatment-resulted in an increase in the Caeruloplasmin concentration and clinical improvement.